VyStar Foundation and Three Grains of Rice Missions celebrated the latest milestone in our meaningful collaboration on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Jacksonville-based nonprofit organization's new headquarters.
VyStar Foundation donated the 2,556-square-foot property, located at 3040 Edison Ave., to Three Grains of Rice, providing the organization with a dedicated space that will enhance its operations and programs. The location was formerly the site of First Coast Federal Credit Union's branch property.
Founded by Ed Perez in 2016, Three Grains of Rice provides resources for housing, food, clothing, medical care and educational programming to individuals and families struggling with food and housing instability, in addition to local and international disaster relief and humanitarian aid. The partnership between VyStar Foundation and Three Grains of Rice is poised to be a catalyst for positive change, with the new space providing opportunities for even greater impact.
Patricia McElroy, President of VyStar Foundation, spoke to a gathering of community partners during the ceremony and shared why Three Grains of Rice was an ideal fit for the property.
“This is a unique opportunity for VyStar Foundation to support the meaningful work being done by Three Grains of Rice Missions,” McElroy said. “The selection committee recognized the need in the community for these services, in addition to the effectiveness of the organization’s leadership and their alignment with the Foundation’s areas of focus.”
Three Grains of Rice was chosen for its outstanding support of the First Coast community. During the ceremony, Perez shared his vision for supporting more individuals and families and building more well-rounded communities. The organization expects to officially open its doors and provide a full range of services to the public by mid-August.
“We are grateful to VyStar Foundation for this generous donation,” Perez said. “This new building will be a game-changer for our organization, allowing us to better serve the needs of our community. We believe this partnership will be a powerful force for positive change and we are excited to see the impact that Three Grains of Rice Missions will have in this new space.”
By empowering local nonprofit organizations such as Three Grains of Rice Missions, VyStar Foundation is committed to building stronger communities for everyone.
